Animal trap



May E935. H. R, GRAYBILL 2,000,752

ANIMAL TRAP Filed sept. 15, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 1 ATTORNEY May 7, 1935. I I H. R. GRAYBILL 2,000,752

l ANIMAL TRAP File'd sept. 15, 1934 .4 sheets-sheet. 2

. 40 l .n mvEN-roR l jrJ/fgyjEQy/'mybill W f y M l g O I ATTORNEY May 7, 1935. H. R. GRAYBILL 2,000,752

ANIMAL TRAP Filedv sept. 15, 1954 4 sheets-Sheet 3 INV ENTOR $152705@ www May 7,1935. H. R. GRAYBILL 2,000,752

Y ANIMALl TRAP Filed Sept. 15, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 QZ 120i:

INVENTOR `Patented May 7; 1935 ',p-"ANv'IAI-.TRAr HersheylRoy Graybill, Lititz, Pa., assignor -to Animal Trap Company of America, Lititz, Pa., l acorporation ofPennsylvania Applicationjseptemberr 13,1934, Serial No. 743,795 A a 10 Claims. My nventionir-vconsists in the novel features hereinafter described, reference being had`to the accompanying drawings Which'show lseveral embodiments of thejinvention, selected by me 5 forpurposes of illustration, and the said invention is fully disclosedinl the following description and claims. l

The object of my invention isy .to provide a cheap and eiiicient trap,intended more .par-

lo ticularly for mice. ratsvand other small animals,

Which will p be automaticallyy fset by simply swinging the pivoted Ystriker 'or jaw from the released to the setl position, and is an'improve-` ment on the trap disclosedin the prior appli- 15 cationof Hershey Roy Graybill, yMelvin B. Koch and Harry W. McCreary, l1ed Mayj22, -1934y and giveny Serial No. ,726,890, ynov/Patentl No. 1,979,223, issued OctoberSO, 1934, f Referring to, the accompanyingdrawings,

tion., z

Fig 2 vis a partial side' elevation ofthe trap.

Y Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal vsection othe ltrap showing the `'parts in l2in1-intermediateposition, with the striker .swung` overwint()V engagement with the locking blade to automatically set the. tranbut-before 'the striker is, released by the operatoi A* y 4 is apview similarl to' Fig. sho'vving the Aparts `in set position. .e Y

Y 1 i Fig. 5 is a partial vtransverse sectional View ;o:Fig..2 von line 5 5 looking in the'direction of thefarrows.' l "Q v-. Fig. 6v is adetail lperspective, yView `of* -the counterweighted setting lever, a. y Fig`.7is aidetail perspective view of the lockingbaix. Y s, y, FigrV ris a Ydetail crosssectional view-through -the locking .bar audits-pivotal supprt, Vshow.'-

tion. y Y Fig. 9 is a similar section throughthe locking bar and'setting lever, intermediate theirgends. v Fig. `10 is a detail perspective of thejlocking bar, illustrating a slight modication. y i

,Fig. 11 is a partial view similar to embodied in ya jmodified showing my invention form of trap. Y 't Fig. 12"is apartial View similar togFig 3,

*and the: staple forming its Fig. 1 represents" a1 top plan view of atrap embodyingv my invention,inthereleased posi-kr .ingthe rearredge of thesetting lever in eleva-- top, pmt-view 'of the .ldekigbar www.- 1 n* Fig. 15 isa view similarA tov Fig. `81 showing` a modiiication. f

Fig. A16 is-a showing a further Ymodicatioi1,;f y 'A v, Fig. 17 is rasection on line 114.- 'lof` tionillustrated in Figs. l to 10 inclusive, i,the

other suitable material, Athe Vstriker r or Ljaw, 2, in this instanceshown asvformed-in onepiec'e and having aV `pivot rod, 3,Lin'tegralwith'vzone and setting leverfof theA trap in deta11,of"a part pfV aiockirvig'te, '.1 t ,pivQtal support.. Referring toL the" embodiment of my invenltrap includes the usual based v1|, lordinarilyjKof f Wood, although Vit may ,beg-made' offnfxetgal...ony

arm extending through `an `eye on Athe.Lotlgieg arm, the pivot rod being pivot-allyy connected" to Vthe base, in .this instance bystaples; 5, and the striker being provided with 'the usual spring; ii. Which in *th'is instance is a' single lspringqsurf rounding thei pivot'rod `and 4having its end por`v l' tions, 6a and'ib", engagingrespectiyely-the vbase connectedto. theybase"l by a staple, 9fin`frear .andan arm vofthe striker. e 'I is a ybait-pedal p n n having abait holding portion, 8,'and ,pivotallyj .Y i y .25'v of 'which thevbaitv pedal isprovided, with-an upwardly extending arm, l0, provided with@ vertical, slot, Il, `from one side of which, nearthe upperl end ofthe slot,a transversely disposed pro-` f r'jectiornf I2; extends inwardly ,andiorms v:the trig-y gerofthe trap.` ,I3 is thelocking bar DIQvidedfat itsrear end with a pivotal aperture,"l5, to ven-` gage astaple, .14, the lockingbar having an open slot; 16,.;4 extending upwardly and forwardly from,theypivotalaperture and `then Vat an angle reariilardly,r` the, opposite edges of .the slotnfvormingthe lockingshoulder or detent, Il,V and ,the

setting shoulder, |8,-respectively, f or engaging,

jecting'trigger-engaging arm, [3b. ,I

20 isacounterweighted` setting lever, ini'his 'instance` pivoted adjacent to its'A forvvardvendr,` to the `locking bar, las shown,A by means-.cfa 'struck up` projection, 2 l, on lthe `setting lever, `engaging settingV lever torise andall with respectto the lockingv bar,4 rotating' `on :the pivotal connection,

:the;cross;,bar, 2a., ofthe striker,4 Atina-forward endrthe locking bar is provided rWitha guiding;v portion,v l13a, extendingthroughthe slot, ,-,I IY-,fin y `the lbait.p'edaLrandhavng aftransversely prof..

`2|22. The forward end of the setting lever has a guiding portion, 20a, extending through the slot, Il, of the bait pedal and'provided with a notch, 20c, the forward edge of which constitutes a cam, 20h, arranged to engage the part, IUa, of the part lil of the bait pedal above the slot, Il, when the forward end of the locking bar is yelevated in setting the trap, and rock the setting lever on its. pivotal connection with the locking bar as indicated in Fig. 3, while the trigger engaging portion, |3b, of the locking bar Ais carried above the trigger, I2. This positionv of the parts is effected by simply swinging the striker over into engagement with the setting shoulder, I8, of the lockingvb'ar'and pressing The` movement of the locking ,bar has also brought downwardly thereon as shown in Fig. 3.

the detent, l1, above they cross bar, 2a, of the striker. When the striker is released by the operator, the cross bar, 2a, will rise into engagement'withv the detent, l1, as indicated in Fig. 4, andat thesameutime the counterbalance portion of the setting lever, inrear of its pivotal connection will drop, due to the release of the upwardp'ressure of the locking bar transmitted through its pivotalnconnection, 2i, and this will rock the cam portion, 2Gb, rearwardly, carrying the triggen' I2, vof 'the :bait pedal directly beneatlil the' trigger engaging portion, lsb, which comes to rest upon it, thus setting the trap.

The general construction and arrangement of parts hereinbefore'described is vset forth in the prior application' before referred to, and is not broadly claimed herein.

I ,will nowdescribe the features which constitute my present invention.

In order to secure uniformly eliicient operation ofv a trap of this kind, it is very desirable thatY the parts shall move' as accurately as possible, andY without undue friction, it being understood that such traps must be capable of being manufactured so asl to Abe sold very cheaply, and accvura'te` machine bearings being prohibitively expensive. i

The simplest form of pivotalsupport for the locking bar is a staple, the cross piece of which Athickness of the locking bar, which is preferably stamped or otherwise formed' of sheet metal. If

Lthe legs of the staple'were so close'together that both legs tightly engaged the sides of the locking bar, the resulting friction would interfere with the operationof the parts.' I therefore provide the locking bar on one face, and preferably below and closely adjacent to the pivotal aperture, I5, with a projecting lug, 30, so dis- 'posed that it Willv engage theinner face of one leg of the staple in all positions which the locking bar cank assume, with respect toits pivotal l connection withl the `base.

This lug, 30, may beround, square, oblong. or of any other desired shape, andA with a fiat or curved outer surface,

4but I prefer to make it round, and in the form `of a segment of a sphere `or a cone," so that it has an extremely small bearing surface reduced, in fact, to .a Vvsingle point in'enga'gement 'with the adjacent leg of the/staple. I also prefer 'two flat faces from rubbing together.

yin other words, indenting one face of the locking bar and pressing the indented metal thereof outwardly on the opposite face to form the lug. Obviously, it would be Within the scope of my invention to provide the lug on the inner face of one leg of the staple at a point adjacent to the cross bar as indicated in Fig. 15, but it lis more practical to form it on a face of the locking bar which is my preferred form.

Y I also provide the contiguous faces of the locking bar and setting'lever with a spacing and anti-friction means located at a distance from their pivotal connection with each other which separatesl these two faces, thus preventing the This is preferably accomplished by providing one of said partswith a projection, which engages the contiguous face of the other. The projection may be of any desired shape or form having a contacting vsurface l of small area and preferably rounded-to further reduce its contacting surface. It is preferably made in the form of a segment of a sphere or a cone so that it reduces the frictional contact between it and the face of the other part to a single point, and reduces the friction between said parts to a minimum. While this projection may be formed in any desired Way, I prefer'to form it by embossing it .in the metal of either the locking bar or the setting lever, so that it projects toward the contiguous surface of the other part.

In ther embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive, this spacing and anti-friction projection is shown at 6B, as located on the inner face of the setting lever, at a considerable distance from the pivotal projection, 2|, that is to say, adjacent to the rear end of the setting lever, and is in the form of an embossed or indented projection. in the form of a segment of a sphere, and contacting with the inner face of the lockinglever. Obviously, it might be formed on the inner face of the locking lever and contact with the inner face of the setting lever.

Obviously, by constructing the trap as shown in Figs. 1 to 10, the result is an extremely quick and easy operation in setting the trap, to which both the projections, 3U and 40, contribute, while the projection, 40, performs the further important function of holding both the locking bar,

other embodiment of the invention, in which the parts corresponding with those in Figs. 1 to 10 are given the same reference characters with the addition of 100. l In this embodiment, the counter'weighted'set ting lever, |20, is pivotally connected to the locking bar, H3, adjacent to' the rear end of the locking bar, instead'of at its forward end, and is provided at its forward end with a downwardly extending cam edge, I20b, to engage the upright portion of the bait pedal.

The locking bar provided adjacent its rear end with 'a f pivotal aperture, |22, engaged by an inwardlyl and rearwardly bent' projection, |23a, whichfcan be insertedinfaperture, |22,-thusA forming the pivotal connection between the parts. `The lock ing bar is pivotally supported at its rear end by the staple, I4, in the same manner as previously is providedwith a notch or recess,'|20c, above which is'a projecting portion, |20d, the lower edge ofwhich is inclined and` forms arcani, |201), resting upon the trigger `when the trap is inreleased position (Fig. 11) andholding the setting lever in raised position with respect tothe lockngban .Z;

- In this embodiment, the general arrangement of which. is 'disclosed V in the priorvr application' above referred to, andl which is not broadly claimed herein, the spacing.v and anti-friction lug or'projection, |40, is "located on-the inner faceof the locking lever, Vandisshovvn as indented'orembossed thereinas asegment of a sphere in adirection towardthe contiguous face of thegsetting lever with vwhich it contacts ata single point as clearly shown vin Fig. 14'.

The.` operation of this embodiment' differs slightlyfrom that previously described, in that when the striker isbrought into` engagement with Vthe setting shoulder, H8,v of the locking lever, the cam' portion, ||3cl,y of the locking bariv engages the lower edge of thel trigger and rocks.V

the bait pedal rearwardly in the direction'of the arrow (Fig. 12) carryingthe trigger lbeneath the trigger engagingportion, ||3b, ofthe lockingV bar. Asthe triggerI moves rearwardly, the cam edge, |2012, of the .setting device slides down on the. trigger as shown in Fig; 12, allowing the setting levertol drop, the friction-between 'this cam edgeand the trigger` holding the triggerin operative relation with the trigger engaging po'rtion, ||3b, ,of thevlockingbarwhich drops uponV the trigger when thev strikerisreleased, as shown in Fig. `13 thus completing the settingof the trap.

Thisform of trapcan be released ,only by downward movement of (the bait carrying portion of the bait pedal. A,

The'projections, |30'and |40, contribute to the ease and accuracy of movement of the locking bar and setting lever the same manner as described with respect tothe embodimenty pre-v Viously described.

vIn Figs. 16 and 17 I have shown a slight modification of the meansv for pivotally supporting the locking'bar. 1n these iigures the staple, 2|4, is formed `of round wire or stock, so that the inner faces of'its legs are curved.` The locking bar, 2| 3, isl constructed as previously described, except that it is provided on one face adjacent to theA pivotal aperture, 2|5, with a lateral projection, 230, pressed orjotherwise formed, andl which is preferably oblong or square, and has its outer surface parallel with the face of the `tig'uous faces.

locking barj 'and prefra'biy extending. slightly i ori-.opposite sides of its pointI 'of rcontact with theadjacent'leg ofthe staple, the inner facelv y of which it frictionally engages; As `the curved vface of the vrstaple leg engages the nat outer face ,of ,the projection, 230, rthe friction is reduced to` substantially Aa single pointand the lockingrbarl isheld from vw'abbling, withoutmaterially increasing the friction betweenv it andthe staple. `What claimand desire to secure by Letters Patentiszf y l. A'trap' comprising a base, a spring actuated striker pivoted thereto, a pivoted vbait pedal having a` `portion providediwithl a:trigger,fa locking' bar provided'fwitha 'pivotalaperture and a'setting shoulder, and vlockingfdetentfor engaging thev striker `andl a Vtrigger engaging` portion, a stapleengaging:the'pivotal aperture of the locking bar, `onefcf-the contiguous" faces of vsaid locking bar and one leg of said `staple being striker pivoted thereto-ja pivoted'bait pedalhavbar provided with a pivotal aperture andV a setauf provided with a projectionlocatedadjacentfto v said aperture, vand atzzall jrtirnes .contacting with the other of said contiguous =fa`ces.4 w y2, A trap comprisinga base,l aspring'actuatedk l 25' I ing a portion providedwith.y va trigger,` a locking i i' y ting shoulder/and lockingdetentfor-engaging the strikerYandligay trigger engaging-portion, a

`staple engagingthefp'ivotal aperture' of the lock-f i l ing kbar, said lo'cking-barfbeingprovided von one -face '1 adjacent -tQs'aid pivotal` aperture s with a projection, havingv an' outwardly "curved face-at `all times in contact with the'COntiguOusinner facefof one leg of said staple." i

3. `A trap comprising aba Ae, a spring actuated l striker pivetedk thereto, apivoted baitpedalhaving a portion-provided with a trigger, a locking bar `*provided with a pivotal-aperture and a set^ Y ting'l shoulder and lockingsdetent for] engagingthe striker and `a trigger engaging portion, a

staple engaging the pivotalap'erture ofthe lock-y Y.

in g 'benone of thecontiguous faces of said locku 'ing bar and one legof lsaid `staple-being provided with a projection'having a Acfzurve'dface; at L all times in contact with the otherof said coni. 4. Atrap comprisinga basa-aspring actuated striker pivoted thereto, apivoted baitJpedal havingya portion: providedv with! a trigger,k a

locking barprovided with a pivotal laperture-and a settingshoulderand locking detent for -e`n-` gaging the striker and a trigger engagingpory tion, 3a staple. engagingthe pivotal aperture of the lockingbar, said locking bar being` providedadjacent to said aperture` with-'aril embossed projection, the Vouter `face ofwhich is'fin the formvofi a segment of asphere,v contactingat all times at a single `point with the faceof one leg of said staple. l y

5. A trap comprising a'base, aspring actuated contiguous striker pivoted thereto, a pivoted bait pedall provided with a trigger, a locking bar pivoted to i the base and provided with asetting shoulder and a locking detent for engagingthe striker` and a trigger engaging portion, and a setting lever operatively connected with the locking bar A and having aY portion engaging the baity pedal to holdv the trigger/in operative relation with l the trigger engagingportion of the lockingbar until the trigger is engaged thereby, one of said operatively connected parts having a cam por- `tion for positively raising the` bait pedal-to bring the trigger into operative relation with the locking bar, one ofthe contiguous faces of the ze o locking barv and.k setting 'device -being provided with a spacing and anti-friction projection having ,aportion' of small area engaging the other of said contiguous faces. l i

6; A trap comprisinga base, a spring actuated striker pivoted thereto, a pivotedloaitjpedal provided with a trigger, avlocking bar pivotedy to the base and provided with a setting shoulder and a locking detent for engaging the striker and a trigger engaging portion, and a setting lever pivotally connected with said locking bar, and having a portion for engaging the bait pedal to hold the'trigger in operative relation with the trigger engaging portion of the locking bar, one of the contiguousfaces of said locking bar and setting lever being provided with a spacing and anti-friction projection located'at a distance from thepivctal connection between saidparts and havingafsurface of small area in frictional contact withth'e other' of said contiguous faces. t

A ,7. A trap comprisingY afbase, a spring actuated striker pivoted thereto, a pivoted bait pedal provided vWith a trigger, a lockingbar pivoted to thebase andfprovided With a setting shoulder and a locking detent for engaging the striker and a trigger engaging portion, and a setting levervpivotally connected with said locking bar, and having al portion for engaging they bait pedal to hold the trigger inv operative relation Withpthe trigger engaging portion of the locking bar, oneof said pivotally connected parts being provided ,withv a cam portion for engaging a part connected with the bait pedal to -bring the trigger into operative relation withv the trigger vengaging yportion ofA the lockingY bar, said locking bar and setting lever having contiguous faces one of which is provided With a spacing and anti-friction projection, located, at a distance from the pivotal connection between said parts and having a curved outer surfacefor frictionailyengaging the other of said contiguous faces.Y

A trap comprising a base, a spring actuated striker pivoted thereto,` a: pivoted baitpedal provided with a trigger, a locking bar pivoted to the` base and provided With afsetting shoulder and a locking detent for engaging the striker and a trigger engaging portion,'and a setting lever pivotally connected Withsaid locking bar, and having a portion for engaging the bait pedal to hold the trigger in operative relation with the trigger engaging portion of the locking bar, one of said pivotally connectedparts being provided with a cam portion for engaging a part connected withsrthe bait pedal to bring the trigger into operative relation kwith the trigger engaging portion of the locking bar, said locking bar andsetting lever having contiguous faces one of which is lprovided with a spacing and anti-friction projection located at a distance from the pivotal connection betweensaid parts and being in the form of a segment of` a sphere, the outer surface of said projection contacting at a single point with the other of said contiguous faces.

9; A trap comprising a base, a spring actuated striker pivoted thereto, av pivoted bait pedal having a portion provided with a trigger, a locking bar having a pivotal aperture, a setting shoulder and locking detent for engaging said striker, and a vtriggei engaging portion, a setting lever pivoted to the locking bar and having a portion for engaging thebait'pedal to hold the trigger in operative relation with the trigger engaging portion of the locking bar, one of said pivotally connected parts being provided with a cam for engaging the bait pedal and bringing the trigger into operative lrelation with the locking bar, a staple engaging the pivotal aperture of the locking bar and secured to the base, said locking bar having a projection on one face, adjacent to said pivotal aperture, at all times in contact with the inner face of one leg of said staple, and said locking vbar and said setting lever having contiguous faces one of which is providedwith a spacing and anti-friction projectionlocated at a distance from the pivotal connection between said parts and engaging the other of said contiguous faces.

10. A trap comprising a base, a spring actuated striker pivoted thereto, a pivoted bait pedal having a portion provided with a trigger, a locking bar having a pivotal aperture, a setting shoulder and locking detent for engaging said striker, .and a trigger engaging portion, a setting lever pivoted to the locking bar and having a portion for engaging the bait pedal to hold the trigger in operative relation with the trigger engagingportion of the locking bar, one of saidpivotally connected parts being provided with a cam for engaging the bait pedal and bringing the trigger into operative relation with the locking bar, a staple engaging the pivotal aperture of the locking bar and secured to the base, said locking bar having a projection on one face, adjacent to saidpivotal aperture, having its outer surface in Contact at all times at substantially a single point with the inner face of onelegof ksaid staple and said locking Vbar and said setting lever, having contiguous faces one of which is provided with a projection located at a distance from 'the pivotal connection between said parts and having substantially a single point in itsouter face in contact with the other of said contiguous faces.

'HERSHEY ROY GRAYBILL. Y 

